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Cornell University law professor William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, accusing UCLA of administering more than a dozen scholarships that excluded students on the basis of race, gender, or national origin.
The 13 programs mentioned in the complaint include awards limited to new “LatinX” students, “Pilipinx” students, “undocumented undergraduates,” and female applicants only. The filing alleges that these standards violate Titles VI and IX of the federal civil rights law, which prohibit discrimination by federally funded schools.
“The existence of discriminatory scholarships based on race and gender at a major, very visible public university is shocking,” Jacobson told Fox News Digital. “UCLA must do better than administer scholarships or programs that treat students differently based on race, color, national origin, or sex.”
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Professor Jacobson filed a complaint against the University of California on Friday. (Getty Images, Equal Protection Project)
The UCLA Latino Alumni Association Scholarship states that it was created for “LatinX freshmen and transfer students,” while the Pilipino Alumni Association Award is for students “who indicate their membership in the Pilipinx community.” The Association of Undocumented Alumni Scholarship restricts eligibility to undocumented students, and the Raza Women’s Alumni Scholarship gives preference to “Latina freshmen and transfer students.”
This language contradicts statements by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who said earlier this year that “no one says Latin.” Despite the governor’s disavowal of the term, the University of California, part of the University of California system that he oversees, still uses “LatinX” as the official eligibility marker on taxpayer-funded scholarships.
Other programs mentioned include two scholarships for students of Armenian origin and a Deloitte Foundation Award that supports “female students of merit.” The complaint says UC’s use of racial or sex-based criteria “violates federal law and the university’s own nondiscrimination policies.”
The filing asks federal officials to investigate and, if necessary, suspend federal funding to UCLA until programs are changed.
UCLA’s scholarship portal has a statement defending its “identity-sensitive” award process.
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An Ivy League law professor has filed a federal civil rights complaint against UCLA with the U.S. Department of Education. (Istock)
“UCLA administers all ID-related financial aid and scholarships in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations,” the statement read. “Identity-sensitive awards may include a preference for a student’s race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, ethnicity, or national origin…The combined application process allows students to be considered for multiple scholarships and is used to determine a recipient’s source of aid, but not the recipient’s eligibility, receipt, or amount of financial aid.”
Jacobson said UCLA’s policies still cross the legal line.
UCLA offers 13 identity-conscious scholarships that the Equal Protection Project claims violate university and federal standards. (Istock)
“Creating educational opportunities based on race, color, national origin, or sex violates Titles VI and IX of the Civil Rights Act,” he said. “It is time for higher education to focus on the inherent value of each student rather than categorizing them by identity groups.”
The complaint filed on November 7, 2025 asks the Department of Education to open a formal investigation and enforce compliance with federal law.
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UCLA and Newsom’s office have not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.